Shloka 12
Chapter 15: Counsel on Initiative vs. Renunciation in the Rajasuya Project (सभापर्व, अध्याय १५)
अलन्द्रितश्न प्रायेण दुर्बलो बलिनं रिपुम् जयेत् सम्यक् प्रयोगेण नीत्यार्थानात्मनो हितान्
Alasadr̥taḥ prāyeṇa durbalo balinaṁ ripuṁ jayet; samyak-prayogeṇa nīty-arthān ātmano hitān.
Bhīma says that a weak person generally cannot overcome a powerful enemy. Yet one who casts off indolence and applies sound strategy and statecraft can, even while weak, defeat a stronger foe and secure for himself outcomes that are beneficial and desired.
भीम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Strength alone is not decisive: abandoning laziness and using proper strategy and prudent policy enables even the weak to overcome stronger opponents and attain beneficial goals.
Bhīma is speaking in the Sabha Parva, emphasizing practical counsel: victory and welfare come from energetic effort and intelligent application of means (nīti), not merely from physical power.